FOOD 4 KIDS
Fighting Childhood Hunger in Marion County
Fighting Childhood Hunger in Marion County
Food 4 Kids was created in 2004 when it came to the attention of school teachers that many children did not have adequate meals over the weekends.
Our “backpack program” was created to provide food for at risk children, that qualify for free lunch. Guidance counselors at the schools provide referrals for children to receive a backpack. Food 4 Kids then fills each backpack with enough food for each child in the household, to enjoy 6 weekend meals.
The week begins at Food 4 Kids with our volunteers packing bags of food for each household. Each child receives a durable, rolling backpack for the school year. The volunteer delivers the food directly to the school, tagged for each child. The child takes the backpack home on Friday afternoon and returns them to school on Monday morning. Then, the process starts all over again. Our volunteers are vital to this program.
Backpacks can include: canned pasta, macaroni & cheese, peanut butter and jelly, pudding & fruit cups, snack bars, oatmeal, pop tarts, crackers and canned vegetables.
The program depends on the donations of time and resources from individuals, churches, businesses and organizations. The average cost per child is approximately $25.00 a month. Special food drives with specific items also help this program tremendously. Help us ensure that no child goes to bed hungry in Marion County. To find out more about Food 4 Kids, contact them at (352) 620-8239.